When the Orlando Magic traded Bo Outlaw to the Phoenix Suns two weeks ago and received Jud Buechler in return, the move was viewed in some quarters as a concession of the season by their general manager, John Gabriel.

In the six games which followed, the Magic went 2-4 while allowing an average of 102.5 points a contest. That would alone would imply they could use Tim Duncan, who will become a free agent in 2003 -- when the Magic are expected to have as much as $16 million in room underneath the NBA's salary cap.

But Gabriel insists he's not sacrificing a season which is less than one-fourth completed in order to prepare the Magic for a title run down the road.

"We had to believe there's ample talent, both in starters and reserves, to make the trade now without giving up on this year," he said.

Duncan, who chose a year ago to stay in San Antonio instead of coming to Orlando, will hardly be the only big-name free agent on the market in two years. Baron Davis, Jason Kidd, Antonio McDyess, Jermaine O'Neal and Theo Ratliff all have contracts which are scheduled to expire then.

Gabriel is understandably reluctant to discuss any players he might have in mind. The league has a low tolerance for team front-office personnel who engage in conduct which might be construed as tampering.